17th December, 2014
Eromosele Ebhomele
After his defeat at the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, on Wednesday pledged his total loyalty to the party saying he was still ready to serve.
The Speaker, who addressed a crowd at the 12th annual Christian thanksgiving ceremony of the House of Assembly, said he was not politically tired and that he was not prepared to retire.
He added that his dream for “a greater Lagos” which was his campaign mantra, remained and would propel him to continue to work for the party.
He enjoined the people of Lagos to support the governorship candidate of his party, Akinwunmi Ambode, and used the opportunity to congratulate the presidential flagbearer of the APC, Muhammadu Buhari, on his 72nd birthday.
Ikuforiji said the 12th anniversary with the theme: ‘Greater Heights’, was an opportunity for the staff and lawmakers as well as guests to remember instances where they were saved by the whiskers just because God loves them.
According to him, many people have experienced near-death situations, near accident situations as well as faced serious situations where they thought all hopes were lost, yet they were saved by God.
Ikuforiji recalled his plight with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC), and how God saved him from the challenge.
Concerning the thanksgiving ceremony, he said: “God gave us this vision 12 years ago and it is our way of giving thanks to God. It started in 2003 with Pastor JT Kalejaiye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
“It is the 12th I will be attending and the 9th I will be hosting. I am grateful to God Almighty for this.
“We are taking Lagos State House of Assembly to a greater height. We are leaving behind well trained staffers and lawmakers.
“We now have the state assembly service commission, state of the art facilities and proper method of accounting.”
Ikuforiji announced that the new blocks of office building under construction would be inaugurated before the end of the seventh Assembly in May, 2015 adding: “we will continue to set the pace for other states houses of assembly.”
Ikuforiji, a Muslim and married to Pastor Mayowa, quoted Psalm 71:21 and Psalm 66:12 to back up his preaching and explanations and sang praises to God.
In his speech, chairman of the organising committee for the event and lawmaker representing Epe Constituency 2 at the House, Segun Olulade, said the programme is an initiative of the Assembly’s Christian Fellowship to annually express appreciation to God for His protection and guidance.
He commended the state governor, Babatunde Fashola and Ikuforiji for the successes they achieved while in government.
“Today’s occasion is particularly important given the fact that it is the last edition for the seventh Assembly.
“Historically, by the time we gather here next year by the grace of God, we will be celebrating this event in the eighth Assembly.
“As a result of this, I express gratitude to all facets of our duties as lawmakers. In spite of the diversity of members of this great Assembly, we have remained united and progressive as much as we can in the interest of Lagos State,” Olulade said.
He urged Christians to be agents of change especially concerning the growth and development of the state.
Bishop Francis Wale Oke of Sword of The Spirit Ministry, Ibadan, Oyo State, preached at the event while gospel artiste, Evangelist Tope Alabi, entertained the guests.